Magnetic piece for play board and magnetic play board

ABSTRACT

A magnetic piece for a display board is disclosed. The magnetic piece includes a housing, a chamber defined by the housing and a magnet disposed within the chamber. A magnetic display board incorporating such as magnetic piece is also disclosed. The magnetic display board incorporates a base, a ferrous surface engaged with the base, a sheet disposed above the ferrous surface and a brace. The magnetic piece is disposed within a void defined by the ferrous surface and the sheet. The magnetic display board also includes a magnetic stylus for moving the at least one magnetic piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119to Canadian Application No. ______, filed Oct. 28, 2011, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved magnetic piece for a playboard and a magnetic play board incorporating at least one such improvedmagnetic piece.

2. Description of Related Art

Magnetized play boards have long been employed as toys, games and toolsfor coaches to teach players facets of sports. In the coaching context,such magnetized boards eliminate the need for markers and an erasableboard or alternatively a blackboard and chalk to depict playerconfigurations and movement. Further, magnetized boards are generallymore effective teaching tools since they do not rely on strongpenmanship and consistent erasing and thus are frequently much easier tofollow then simple drawings. Additionally, magnetic boards are moreefficient, since the positioning of pieces upon the board (representingplayers) can be altered much more quickly than when using a drawing,since relying upon a drawing necessitates erasing the formerconfiguration of players depicted on the game board and drawing a newconfiguration. Also, it is much easier to depict movement of players ona magnetic game board, since the pieces themselves can be moved ratherthan employing arrows, for example, to demonstrate such movement.

One drawback of using such magnetic boards is that the pieces can becomedislodged from the board and get lost. Accordingly, transparent sheetshave been introduced above the magnetic play boards to enclose thepieces. One such example of this is found in U.S. Design Pat. No.266,438 of Reisman.

A similar configuration is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,893 of Johns.Johns describes a mechanism for moving the pieces. Specifically, amagnetic remote symbol-piece mover is utilized.

Reisman and Johns also depict moveable magnetic pieces. Johns' moveablepiece incorporates a magnetized ceramic plug held firmly within aplexiglass cylindrical shell. Reisman's piece incorporates an inlaidmagnet.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,015 of Ellman et al. incorporates a game board withmagnetic features. Specifically, the game board incorporates a series offixed domes, each enclosing a magnetic piece. The domes and magneticpieces are proportioned so as to permit the piece to flip over and thuschange north/south polarity in response to the application of a magneticcontrol device.

None of the prior art examples above incorporate a magnetic piece for aplay board incorporating a “floating” magnet that is not susceptible toflipping over and thus reversing the polarity of the enclosed magnet.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a novel and improved magneticgame piece with an enhanced tactile nature that permits a user to moreeffectively reposition the piece using a magnetic stylus.

It is further desirable to provide a magnetic game piece thateffectively signals when the game piece has been engaged by the userthrough the use of a magnetic stylus.

It is further desirable to provide a magnetic game piece that willeffectively maintain its position on a display board when the displayboard is held upright, yet that can be easily manoeuvred using amagnetic stylus.

It is further desirable to provide a display board incorporatingconfined magnetic pieces that may be repositioned upon the displayboard, but not removed from an enclosure defined by the display board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes the foregoing by providing a magneticpiece for a display board comprising a housing, a chamber defined by thehousing and a magnet disposed within the chamber.

In a further aspect of the invention, volume of the chamber within themagnetic piece exceeds the volume of the magnet.

In a further aspect of the invention, the housing of the magnetic piecehas sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnet within the magneticpiece is completely enclosed within the housing.

In a further aspect of the invention, the width of the magnet exceedsthe height of the chamber and the height of the chamber exceeds theheight of the housing.

In a further aspect of the invention, the ceiling of the piece is flat.

In a further aspect of the invention, the ceiling and floor of themagnetic piece define a recess, the width of the magnet exceeds theheight of the recess and the height of the recess exceeds the height ofthe magnet.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnetic piece furtherincorporates a spacer adjacent to the floor of the piece, the spacerprojects into the chamber and a recess is defined by the ceiling and thespaces.

In a further aspect of the invention, the spacer is integrally attachedto the floor.

In a further aspect of the invention, the width of the magnet exceedsthe height of the recess and the height of the recess exceeds the heightof the magnet.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnetic piece, the recess andthe magnet are annular.

In a further aspect of the invention, the sidewalls of the housing maybe opaque.

In a further aspect of the invention, a magnetic display board isprovided. The display board has a base, a ferrous surface engaged uponthe base, and a sheet disposed above the ferrous surface. The magneticdisplay board further comprises at least one magnetic piece disposedwithin a void defined by the ferrous surface and sheet wherein the atleast one magnetic piece incorporates a housing, a chamber defined bythe housing and a magnet disposed within the chamber and the volume ofthe chamber exceeds the volume of the magnet. The magnetic display boardalso incorporates a magnetic stylus for moving the at least one magneticpiece.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnetic display board alsocomprises a support means for separating the ferrous surface and thetransparent sheet.

In a further aspect of the invention, the support means is integral withthe base.

In a further aspect of the invention, the height of the void exceeds theheight of the at least one magnetic piece and the width of the at leastone magnetic piece exceeds the height of the void.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnetic surface within themagnetic display board depicts a sport play surface and the at least onepiece represents player.

In a further aspect of the invention, the sheet is transparent.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnetic stylus attaches to auser's fingertip.

In a further aspect of the invention, the magnetic display boardincorporates a handle.

In a further aspect of the invention, the handle incorporates a groovefor receiving a marker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described byreference to the following figures, in which identical reference numbersin different figures indicate identical elements and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the magnetic game piece according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the magnetic game piece;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the magnetic piece with a ceiling andmagnet removed;

FIG. 4 a shows a plan view of the magnetic game piece upon a magneticplay board in a first position;

FIG. 4 b shows a plan view of the magnetic game piece being moved from afirst position to a second position by a fingertip stylus;

FIG. 4 c shows a plan view of the magnetic game piece upon the magneticplay board in a second position;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a magnetic display board according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the magnetic display boardof the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a portion of the magnetic displayboard that has been partly broken away;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a fingertip stylus; and

FIG. 9 shows a side plan view of the fingertip stylus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described for the purposes ofillustration only in connection with the single embodiment. However, itis to be understood that other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be made apparent by the following description of thedrawings according to the present invention. While preferred embodimentsare disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the generalprinciples sent forth herein are considered to be merely illustrative ofthe scope of the present invention and it is to be further understoodthat numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown in perspective view anexemplary embodiment of a magnetic game piece 100 according to thepresent invention. The magnetic game piece 100 is to be used inconjunction with a magnetic display board 200 described below.

The magnetic game piece 100 incorporates a housing 104. In a preferredembodiment, the housing 104 is constructed of one or more resilientnon-magnetic materials. The housing 104 has sidewalls 108, a floor 114and a ceiling 118. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewalls 108 andfloor 114 are integral and are molded from a resilient non-magneticmaterial such as ABS plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the thicknessof the sidewalls 108 ranges between 0.090″ and 0.125″ and a preferredthickness of the sidewalls is 0.125″. Further, the thickness of thefloor 114 ranges between 0.080″ and 0.100″ and a preferred thickness ofthe floor 114 is 0.094″. Further, the ABS or acrylic plastic whichconstitutes the sidewalls 108 and floor 114 may be transparent.Alternatively, the ABS or acrylic plastic which constitutes thesidewalls 108 and floor 114 may be coloured so as to permit a user todistinguish between different classes of magnetic game pieces 100.

The ceiling 118 of the magnetic game piece 100 may be comprised of adifferent non-magnetic material than the sidewalls 108 and floor 114.For example, the ceiling 118 may be constructed from Lexan® disks, orany other materials suitable for applying words, letters, numbers orother symbols to the ceiling for specifically identifying a magneticgame piece 100. The ceiling 118 is of a thickness between 0.005″ and0.015″. The preferred thickness of the ceiling is 0.010″. The ceiling118 may be attached to the sidewalls 108 by any conventional attachmentmeans, including, glue or an epoxy-like substance, fasteners,male/female attaching means or the like. Preferably, the ceiling 118 isirremovably attached to the housing 104. In a preferred embodiment theLexan® disk are self-adhesive using 3M, 468MP, 0.005″ adhesive. Theceiling 118 may be coloured so as to permit a user to distinguishbetween different classes of magnetic game pieces 100.

The housing 104 defines a chamber 124. The sides of the chamber 124 areconstituted by inner surfaces of the sidewalls 108. The top of thechamber 124 is constituted by the bottom of the ceiling 118 and thebottom of the chamber 124 is constituted by the top surface of the floor114.

A magnet 130 is disposed within the chamber 124. The volume of thechamber 124 exceeds the volume of the magnet 130. In a preferredembodiment, the magnet 130 is completely enclosed within the housing104, such that the ceiling 118 of the housing 104 is above the magnet130 and the floor 114 of the housing 104 is below the magnet 130 and thesidewalls 108 surround the magnet 130. Preferably, there is a uniformlysized space between the inner surface of the sidewalls 108 and themagnet 130 so as to allow movement of the magnet 130 upwards anddownwards within the chamber 124. Accordingly, the height of the chamber124 exceeds the height of the magnet 130. The magnet 130 may be acommercially available disk shaped magnet such as ceramic magnetmaterial (Ferrite) manufactured by ITW Construction Products withnominal dimensions 3/16″×½″.

As referenced above, the height of the chamber 124 exceeding the heightof the magnet 130 permits the magnet 130 to move in an upward anddownward manner within the chamber 124. Additionally, in a preferredembodiment, the width of the magnet 130 exceeds the height of thechamber 124.

In a preferred embodiment, both the outer and inner surfaces of thefloor 114 and ceiling 118 are completely flat. This shape of the ceiling118 will maximize the surface area of the ceiling 118 that engages thesurface above the game piece 100 and maximizes the percentage of thesurface area of the magnet 130 that engages the ceiling 118. Similarly,the flat shape of the outer surface of the floor 114 maximizes thesurface area of the floor 114 that engages the surface below the gamepiece 100.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a spacer 136 is disposedadjacent to the floor 114 of the magnetic piece 100. The spacer 136projects into the chamber 124 and the magnet 130 sits upon the spacer136 when the magnetic piece 100 is engaged with the surface below themagnetic piece 100. Preferably, the spacer 136 is attached to the floor114 of the housing 104. The spacer 136 may be integrally attached to thefloor 114 or sidewalls 108 or the floor 114 and sidewalls 108 and thusmolded from the same material as the floor 114 and/or the sidewalls 108.The spacer 138 may be cross-shaped as seen in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The spacer 136 may be comprised of any non-magnetic material includingrubber, ABS, styrene, or acrylic plastic. If the spacer 136 is notintegrally attached to the sidewalls 108, the width of the spacer 136 issuch that the spacer 136 can fit within the chamber 124 defined by thehousing 104. The height of the spacer 136 is preferably within the rangeof 0.080″ and 0.095″ with a preferred height is 0.090″.

A recess 140 is defined by the top of the spacer 136 and the bottom ofthe ceiling 118. The magnet 130 is disposed within the recess 140. Thewidth of the magnet 130 exceeds the height of the recess 140 and theheight of the recess 140 exceeds the height of the magnet 130.

In one embodiment of the invention, the magnetic piece 100, the chamber124 and the magnet 130 are annular. Accordingly, the reference to thewidth of the magnetic piece 100 the chamber 124 or the magnet 130 aboveincludes reference to the circumference of those elements.

Further, the sidewalls 108 of the magnetic piece 100 may be formed oftransparent materials such as injection moulded ABS plastic or cut fromacrylic plastic tube so that when the magnetic piece 100 is fullyconstructed the magnet 130 and the spacer 136 can be seen when themagnetic piece 100 is fully constructed.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, there is shown a magnetic display board 200incorporating a plurality of magnetic game pieces 100. The display board200 incorporates a base 204. A handle 208 may be attached to the base204. Alternatively, the handle 208 may be attached to another componentof the display board 200. Preferably, the handle 208 is integral to thebase 204 or another component of the magnetic display board 200 suchthat the handle 208 does not need to be formed or molded separately. Thebase 204 may be formed from a durable plastic such as injection mouldedABS plastic or cut from acrylic plastic sheet.

The magnetic display board 200 may also incorporate a ferrous surface214 engaged with the base 204. The ferrous surface 214 is constructedfrom a magnetic material such as ferrous mild steel sheet with apreferred thickness of 0.020″. The ferrous surface 214 may displaymarkings on a surface opposite from the surface facing the base 204. Themarkings may represent a sport play surface, such as a hockey rink,soccer pitch, football field or other larger non-sport surfaces such asairport taxiways, roadways, floor-plans etc. In such an embodiment, themagnetic pieces 100 represent players or game equipment such as pucks orballs or the like. The markings upon the ferrous surface 214 may alsorepresent a map, a game board or any other surface on which one may wishto attach magnetic pieces for display purposes.

A sheet 220 is disposed above the ferrous surface 214. In oneembodiment, the sheet 220 is transparent or at least partiallytransparent so that the ferrous surface 214 or a portion thereof may beseen. The sheet 220 may be constructed from transparent plastic such asplexiglass, Lexan® or acrylic sheet. Preferably the sheet 220 can bewritten upon by a dry erase marker.

A void 224 is defined by the ferrous surface 214 and the sheet 220. Theheight of the void 224 exceeds the height of the magnetic pieces 100,such that the magnetic pieces 100 are disposed within the void 224.Preferably, the width or circumference of the magnetic pieces 100exceeds the height of the void 224 such that the magnetic pieces 100cannot overturn.

In one embodiment, support means separate the ferrous surface 214 andthe sheet 220. The support means may completely surround the void 224.Such a support means could be constituted by a series of outer walls224. In this embodiment and as seen in FIG. 7, the edges 228 of theferrous surface 214 extend to the edges of the outer walls 224.Alternatively, the support means may comprise a series of pillars,blocks or the like.

In an alternative embodiment, outer walls 224 are integral with the base204 and constitute the support means. The outer walls 224 incorporate ashoulder 232 on which the sheet 220 rests and a lip 236 for receivingthe ferrous surface 214. Additionally, the magnetic display boardincorporates a brace 240 that is placed upon the sheet 220 in a mannerthat does not obstruct the sheet 220 or the ferrous surface 214 disposedbelow the sheet 220. Preferably the brace 240 resembles a bordersurrounding the sheet 220 and incorporates a flange 244 that engages thesheet 220.

The base 204 and the brace 240 may be attached by connecting means. Theconnecting means may be any conventional connecting means, includingglue, clips, velcro or the like. In one embodiment, the connecting meansconsist of series of screws 248. In this embodiment, the outer walls 224and the brace 240 define cylindrical apertures 252 for receiving thescrews 248. The screws 248 attach the base 204 to the brace 240 in amanner such that the sheet 220 is secured upon the shoulder 232 of thebase. The ferrous surface 214 is thus enclosed within the base 204, theouter walls 224 and the sheet 220 orientated within the lip 236 of theouter walls 224.

The magnetic display board 200 also incorporates as an accessory meansfor moving the magnetic pieces 100. The means for moving the magneticpieces may be a magnetic stylus (not shown). The magnetic stylus may beconveniently attached to the magnetic display board 100, such as by ananchor and string combination. The magnetic stylus may incorporate aplastic outer shell and a stylus magnet.

Alternatively as seen within FIGS. 8 and 9, the means for moving themagnetic pieces may be a fingertip stylus 260 into which a user mayinsert a finger. The fingertip stylus 260 incorporates a magnet at ornear an end opposite the end into which a finger is inserted. Themagnetic play board 200 may incorporate a dock 264 for receiving thefingertip stylus 260 when the fingertip stylus is not in use.

A dry erase marker 270 may be used in association with the magnetic playboard 200 for drawing upon the sheet 220. The dry erase marker 270 maybe releasably attached to the magnetic play board 200, such as to thehandle 208, when not in use.

In operation, it is seen in FIGS. 4 a to 4 c the fingertip stylus 260 isplaced above or upon the exposed surface of the sheet 220 above amagnetic piece 100. The magnetic force exerted by the fingertip stylus260 upon the magnet 130 exceeds the magnetic force between the magnet130 and the ferrous surface 214 and as a result, the magnetic piece 100is disengaged from the ferrous surface 214. The presence of the spacer136 diminishes the magnetic force between the magnet 130 and the ferroussurface 214. When such disengagement occurs, the ceiling 118 of themagnetic piece 100 engages the bottom surface of the sheet 220 andalmost simultaneously, the magnet 130 engages the bottom surface of theceiling 118 of the magnetic piece 100. Accordingly, a distinct auditoryand tactile signal is given to the user to indicate that the magneticpiece 100 is engaged by the fingertip stylus 260 and that the magneticpiece 100 may be moved used using the fingertip stylus 260. Once themagnetic piece 100 is in an appropriate position, the fingertip stylus260 may be disengaged from the exposed surface of the sheet 220. Oncethe fingertip stylus 260 is disengaged from the exposed surface of thesheet, the magnetic force exerted by the ferrous surface 214 upon themagnetic piece 100 will exceed that exerted that by the magnetic stylus260 upon the magnetic piece 100 such that the magnetic piece re-engageswith the ferrous surface 214.

It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art that thevarious modifications and variations may be made to the embodimentsdisclosed herein, consistent with the present invention, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Otherembodiments consistent with the present invention will become apparentfrom consideration with the specification and the practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Accordingly, the specification and theembodiment are to be considered exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit of the invention being disclosed by the following claims.

1. A display board system, comprising: a magnetic piece, including: ahousing having a ceiling and a floor opposed thereto; a chamber definedby the housing; and a magnet disposed within the chamber so as to definea space immediately above an upper surface of the magnet and below theceiling when the floor engages a surface beneath the housing.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein a volume of the chamber exceeds a volume ofthe magnet.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing has sidewalls.4. The system of claim 1 wherein the magnet is completely enclosedwithin the housing.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein a width of themagnet exceeds a height of the chamber and the height of the chamberexceeds a height of the magnet.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein theceiling is flat.
 7. The system of claim 4 further comprising a spacerdisposed above the floor of the housing and below the magnet such that arecess is defined below the ceiling of the housing and above the spacer.8. The system of claim 7 wherein the spacer is integrally attached tothe floor.
 9. The system of claim 7 wherein a width of the magnetexceeds a height of the recess and the height of the recess exceeds aheight of the magnet.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing, thechamber and the magnet are annular.
 11. The system of claim 3 whereinthe sidewalls are opaque. 12.-20. (canceled)
 21. The system of claim 1further comprising a magnetic display board having a ferrous surface, asheet disposed above the ferrous surface, and a void defined between theferrous surface and the sheet, the void being configured to receive themagnetic piece therein.